A New Deal for an Effective European Research Policy

This book presents, from a viewpoint inside the European Commission, the nuts and bolts of how EU research policy is actually designed. It also provides a comprehensive analysis of European research and the Framework Programme.

The 7th Framework Programme will be the most ambitious one to date and signals a stronger role for European research. But, it represents just a small part of total public spending on R&D in the EU, the bulk of which is carried out by the national and regional authorities. Clearly, on its own, it cannot solve all Europe's problems. What is needed, this book argues, is a New Deal for research in Europe. This New Deal would involve the mobilisation of policy actors across all levels-regional, national and European-and their commitment to develop a more effective research system based on actions where they have the greatest impact.

The book presents, from a viewpoint inside the European Commission, the nuts and bolts of how EU research policy is actually designed. It also provides a comprehensive analysis, on the basis of factual evidence, not only of the positive impacts of European research, but of the various criticisms that have been made of the Framework Programme.

Unique for its perspective and transparency, giving an insider's view into the making of policies and not flinching from criticism of past Framework Programmes Factual, providing a thorough evidence-based assessment of the development, strengths and weaknesses and impacts of Europe's R&D policy Comprehensive, being the first book to describe in detail how a Framework Programme is designed and decided Novel in its analysis, situating European research policy in the context of the Lisbon objectives and explaining the consequences for the making of research policy Particularly timely, coinciding with the launch of the 7th Framework Programme

Klappentext

More than a century ago Louis Pasteur observed that Science knows no country, because knowledge belongs to humanity, and is the torch which illuminates the world . His remark has all the more resonance today with the increasing globa- sation of science, technology, and commerce. But it also underlines an important truth: that science has always advanced most rapidly when it is a collective endeavour, with a strong circulation of knowledge. When it comes to forging cooperation in research, Europe has an impressive track record. This year, the European Union s Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development celebrates its 20th birthday. It is the world s largest programme in support of transnational research, promoting cooperation, coor- nation, and mobility across borders. The year 2007 will see the launch of the 7th Framework Programme, the biggest and most ambitious so far. This book will show how the new Framework Programme was put together and explain why it took the shape it did. It will also set out its potential impacts and the conditions necessary for it to be a success. In the challenging new global economy, knowledge is Europe s most valuable resource, and I am convinced that, with its unprecedented scale and scope, the 7th Framework Programme is the right strategy for a Europe that wants to progress towards a knowledge-based economy. However, the Framework Programme is only a very modest part of total public R&D spending in Europe, the bulk of which is carried out by national governments.

Inhalt
Challenges to the European Exception: What Can S&T Do?.- Are Expectations Too High? Weaknesses of Europe's S&T System.- Opening the Window of Opportunity: The New Policy Context.- Building on Experience: Learning Lessons from Past Framework Programmes.- Engaging Stakeholders for Better Policy-Making.- European Added Value, Option Analysis, and the Commission's Proposal for the 7th Framework Programme.- From Proposals to Commitments The 7th Framework Programme and the European Decision-Making Process.